Transcript: Outside Linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux

Outside Linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux

Q: How's it been getting back out there?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: It's been good, it's been fun. Second day of pads, getting a little rust off.

Q: (Outside linebacker) Brian (Burns) mentioned the kind of competition that you two have with each other, because you're betting on, I can't even remember what at this point?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Oh yeah, every time a drive goes out, we try to give us a little edge to go make a play. So, I think it was that last call period where I just told him 'Whoever gets the first sack, the other person got to do some push-ups'.

Q: You're very athletic. You're going from a nine to a seven. Do you prefer going from a nine to a seven? Does it matter? You just come off trying to make a play.

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I think when you're talking ball, I think a nine is good when you're rushing a passer, when you're setting edges. I like a six when the ball's going away, you got the back to your side. And then that tight end, when they're playing heavy on the ball, you got to kind of have square feet being able to kind of shoot your guns.

Q: Now that the pads are on, are you getting a better vision? When everybody's out there now, about (defensive tackle) Dexter (Lawrence II), you, (outside linebacker) Brian (Burns), what things you can do? Play them off each other, things like that.

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Definitely, it's hard to put players together when you are not in pads, especially playing football. So, being out there, you get to see guys really in their element and let them shine. So, there's been a lot of plays made, whether it's in the middle, on the right edge or left edge, and it helps you understand how to work cohesively.

Q: What do you expect of yourself this season?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Greatness, nothing less. I feel like that's going to be something you guys hear from me every year, every time you ask me, just because we work too hard, and we've done so much to get here that now we're too deep in it to turn back now. So, this is going to continue to strive for greatness, and whatever that looks like in my career, I've got to be happy with it and the work I put in at the end of the day.

Q: Along those same lines in terms of expectations, you guys can't help but hear the outside expectations, based on maybe the previous year or whatever. How do you handle that internally in the room, and what are your expectations given (quarterback) Daniel (Jones) back healthy and guys like (wide receiver) Wan'Dale (Robinson) back and some of the people you brought in like (outside linebacker) Brian (Burns)?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Honestly, the thing about expectations itself is that it always seems bigger from the outside, but it never really is. Any athlete, anybody competing at the professional level will tell you that the expectations on oneself are always greater than the outside. So, I don't think there are any goals, any aspirations, anything that this team is trying to accomplish that the outside world isn't on the same page with. So, I don't see a lot of pressure. I think it's just continuously being keyed in on what's important and giving your energy to the day-to-day on getting better. I think it'll be good. I think it'll be great for us, and I honestly think the competition at each position is what's going to make us great.

Q: You've been a teammate of (defensive tackle) Dex(ter Lawrence II), who got paid. You're a new teammate of (outside linebacker) Brian (Burns). You're going into your third year with Dex and (tackle) Andrew (Thomas) both. That was after the year that they committed to them. I mean, as much as winning and all that, that's a carrot, I would imagine that. What are your thoughts on that?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Yeah, when I was younger, my mom told me, you hang out with three clowns, you'll be the fourth. So, you hang out with three rich guys: you'll be the fourth. (Laughs) So, I'm just going to keep working, man. The lights and everything are ahead. Right now, I just got to keep my head down, keep tunnel vision, and understand that there's no greater way I can affect my future other than the work I put in on the field. So, just continuing to control what I can control and keep sharpening my tools.

Q: Is there any way for your mind, to think that (tackle) Andrew (Thomas) is a fixture here, and so is (defensive tackle) Dex(ter Lawrence) now. Is there any reason to think that you, as a first-round pick, will not be a fixture here? Is there any reason to think that?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Nah, no chance. As long as Brian – as long as (Head) Coach (Brian) Daboll and (Senior Vice President and General Manager) Joe Schoen are here, I'll be here.

*Q: Out there today, you guys were making a lot of plays. You guys look like you were buzzing today. Can you speak about that confidence that's building and what does that mean later in the season and how does that impact the defense? *KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Yeah, I think the best part about playing team ball is that you get to celebrate other people. Right so, out there, we're playing physical, we're playing fast, we're playing our style. So, we're able to celebrate each other's wins. It's on different aspects of the game, but seeing guys run and hit, seeing guys make plays in the air, seeing D-lineman win rushes or set edges, it's something beautiful to see. Now we're putting it together, and it's always good when you can dominate offense.

Q: How can you and (outside linebacker) Brian Burns play off each other and maybe bring out the best in each other? Is there a way that that can happen?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Definitely. I think the first step is just the standard. We set the standard in individual drills and team drills and how we play, and then we start to really use each other's skill set to grow each other's. So, for him, he's a fast, twitchy guy. I'm more of a long, powerful guy. And I can show him a few things. He can show me a few things. And while we're in the rush, right, I know how he's going to approach his offensive tackle, and he knows how I'm going to approach it. So, we kind of unleash it, and we just continue to play. And I think when you look at how a front rush is, it's balanced, right? And that's kind of the key to a good rush is having balance and the view of the quarterback. So, just understand that if he's going speed, I'm going power. If I'm going speed, he's going power. If he goes inside, I go outside. And it's simple. It's just knowing what a guy likes and being able to see it on the field.

Q: Did that chemistry, though, come pretty easily between the two of you? Because I can imagine other scenarios, perhaps other times, that maybe two players didn't have that kind of synergy.

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Well, I would say it's not necessarily just the synergy, right? It is. That is a key part. But I would say you got to have guys who can play. When you have a guy like (outside linebacker Brian) Burns who can call a shot and he knows what he's going to do. Because the hardest thing in football is, like, you can talk about it, but being about it is the next level. So, having a dude like (defensive tackle) Dex(ter Lawrence II), you know what he's going to do because that's what he does, right? And even last year talking to Dex, there are some inside moves, there are some things that I got to commit to that as a young player you don't understand that. You think you can be Superman and do everything, but no, I'm playing for my teammate. I got to commit to whatever we talked about, whatever game plan we have in place. And that's what when you have a vet like Burns, it does come natural.

Q: It seems so much emphasis is focused on the pass rush when we talk about this team. Stopping the run is always number one on defense. Have you seen signs that you can be a very good team against the run?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Yeah. (Defensive tackle) Dex(ter Lawrence II), he's the biggest signing we got. And then we got two edges that are committed to throwing their shots. So, I think when you look at just the run defense in general, we're coming to play. Every down is a one-on-one. So, whether it's nine-on-seven run, or it's pass rush, everyone is a one-on-one, and we're here to win them.

Q: Does it set a good tone that (outside linebacker Brian) Burns gets nicked up yesterday and that he's out there today? Did guys notice that?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I would say, in old school football, yeah. It sets a tone, like, I'll play through every injury. But I think for him it's just balancing. And for me, in seeing him, it's like, 'alright, man, balance. You know not to go out here and kill yourself just because you want to be great'. Right? And I think that's that next level of what greatness is. And, granted, if he feels great to go, by all means. If you're hurt? Go. But if you're injured, the next step of greatness is, being ready for Sunday. So, I think it's just that happy medium, being able to gauge, what's the most important. But, yeah, him being out there is definitely always a sign of strength.